Jan 12 2015 : The Times of India (Delhi)

All univs must have grades, semesters, orders UGC

Pavan MV

Bengaluru:





In a move that will benefit lakhs of students and impact over 400 universities across the country, the University Grants Commission has mandated the introduction of grading system from 2015-16 and directed universities to standardize their examinations and follow a semester pattern in curriculum.Many universities now follow the marking system.The new move, UGC says, will provide wider options for students to learn and ensure seamless mobility across institutions. The move follows a meeting last week between state education ministers and HRD minister Smriti Irani.
The regulatory body has directed universities to introduce the choice-based credit system (CBCS) and credit framework for skill development (CFSD). Students will pursue three types of courses: foundation, elective and core under the choicebased credit system (CBCS), to be introduced in all universities from 2015-16.
Students must pursue core subjects every semester, and can pick electives from a pool of subjects unrelated to their disciplines.
The foundation courses may be of two kinds: compulsory and elective. Compulsory courses, mandatory for all disciplines, help students gain knowledge. Elective courses are value-based.
Bangalore University (BU) registrar (evaluation) Ninge Gowda KN told TOI that BU has implemented both CBCS and CFSD (credit framework for skill devel opment) from 2014 and will switch to grades from 2015.
His Mangalore University counterpart, PS Yadapadithaya, said they introduced CBCS for PG courses two years ago. “We're awarding both marks and grades.From next year, we will stick to grades.“ Meena Chandavarkar, VC of Karnataka State Women's University , said, “CBCS has been introduced in our university and we will start giving grades from the next year.“

How will science aid development in India in near future?

The theme of the 102nd session of the Indian Science Congress—Science and Technology for Human Development—happens to echo the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s emphasis on “development”.  Down To Earth talked to experts at the conference on how science is likely to contribute to human development in the next few years and the achievements so far. Edited excerpts of their interviews

Space research
S Arunan, project director, Mars Orbiter Mission, ISRO

Space technologies like satellites already contribute to the society and are behind consumer services such as ATM, television, weather forecasting and navigation. Satellites like the Mars orbiter have indirect benefits through innovations in energy storage. India is part of an international coordination group of 12 countries that have set 2030 as a deadline for colonising Mars. The scientific community in India is also developing a plan on what the country would want from Mars. The community needs to give the requirements to ISRO which would then plan the next move. Another mission is likely in 2018, 2020 or 2022. Chandrayan 2 launch is also scheduled in the next few years.

Agriculture
Arun K Pandey, professor, Department of Botany, University of Delhi (sectional president, plant sciences)

Researchers are trying to develop crops which would grow well in changed climate in the future. They are looking for plants which grow better in, say, higher carbon monoxide or in sunny conditions. For example, sugarcane grows better in sunny environment. In the coming years, wasteland development would be of paramount importance and researchers are looking for crops which can grow in degraded land. In the future, emphasis has to be on using natural products. For this we need to quickly create inventories of plants, animals and microbes in India. This would help us identify wild relatives of cultivated plants which can be used for useful traits.

Archaeology 
Vasant Shinde, Vice-Chancellor, Deccan College, Pune (archaeology, spoke in the symposium Future of the Past)

There is much to learn from archaeology. In the future, we could learn from the water management systems of ancient people. The next few years are likely to throw light on the mystery around the origin of ancient Indian civilizations like the Harappan civilization. We have not been able to analyse the genetic makeup of this community as they buried their dead in moist conditions and the DNA has not survived. We are now using innovative techniques like studying the genetic material of microbes present in the remains in the hope that the human DNA would also be present in them. The technique has worked well in other scenarios.

Energy, technology
Ravi Pandit, Chairman, KPIT, Pune (industry representative, he gave lecture on ‘Innovate and Make in India’)

In the next few years, we are likely to see a change in the way energy is used and stored. The focus is likely to be on renewable like solar, wind and biogas. Storing this energy is also going to see changes. Energy would need to be generated and consumed in a distributed manner. Just like the milk cooperatives, we can look forward to hydrogen cooperatives. The shift to this energy would happen in both homes and in applications like transport.

We (KPIT) are developing technologies to use such renewable energy in transport sector. Personalised technologies like 3D printing would be more in use.

Life sciences
M K Jyoti, former dean of life sciences at the University of Jammu (sectional president animal, veterinary and fishery science)

In the next decade, we have to address the problems created by development. Development is inevitable, but we have to develop in a cautious manner. We need to find ways of overcoming the effects of imbalanced developments. In case of fisheries, we are growing only invasive species. Jammu was rich in Mahaseer fish, but dams have restricted the movement of the fish and the population has dwindled. This was the dominant fish till a decade back. In the recent floods, we are talking about rehabilitating humans and animals but no one is talking about fish. In the future, we need to build hatcheries and breed fish artificially. Once we lose the water due to development, we cannot think about fish.

Technology
Atul Padalkar, founder and principal of Flora Institute of Technology, Pune (sectional president, engineering science)

In the next decade, efforts have to be made to develop low cost technologies. In the future, we can look forward to indigenous hydrocarbon-based technologies for refrigeration and air conditioning. This would be help combat climate change.

History and science
Vijay Bhatkar, creator of the first supercomputer in India and Chancellor of India International Multiversity

There is so much to be learnt from the history of science. In the next few years, innovation is going to be the way forward. We would go back to our roots. The cow would become an important part of our lives. People are looking for something different and the cow is the source of health foods. Work towards exploiting this is already being carried out.

List of Maharatna, Navratna & Miniratna Companies in India 

Maharatna Scheme was introduced for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), with effect from 19th May, 2010, in order to empower mega CPSEs to expand their operations and emerge as global giants. List of 7 Maharatna, 17 Navratna and 72 Miniratna Companies in India (Status as on 26 October, 2014) —

Maharatna Companies
1. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
2. Coal India Limited
3. GAIL (India) Limited
4. Indian Oil Corporation Limited
5. NTPC Limited
6. Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited
7. Steel Authority of India Limited

Navratna Companies
1. Bharat Electronics Limited
2. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
3. Container Corporation of India Limited
4. Engineers India Limited
5. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
6. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
7. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited
8. National Aluminium Company Limited
9. National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited
10. NMDC Limited
11. Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited
12. Oil India Limited
13. Power Finance Corporation Limited
14. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
15. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited
16. Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
17. Shipping Corporation of India Limited

Miniratna - I Companies
1. Airports Authority of India
2. Antrix Corporation Limited
3. Balmer Lawrie & Co. Limited
4. Bharat Coking Coal Limited
5. Bharat Dynamics Limited
6. BEML Limited
7. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
8. Bridge & Roof Company (India) Limited
9. Central Warehousing Corporation
10. Central Coalfields Limited
11. Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited
12. Cochin Shipyard Limited
13. Dredging Corporation of India Limited
14. Kamarajar Port Limited
15. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited
16. Goa Shipyard Limited
17. Hindustan Copper Limited
18. HLL Lifecare Limited
19. Hindustan Newsprint Limited
20. Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited
21. Housing & Urban Development Corporation Limited
22. India Tourism Development Corporation Limited
23. Indian Rare Earths Limited
24. Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited
25. IRCON International Limited
26. KIOCL Limited
27. Mazagaon Dock Limited
28. Mahanadi Coalfields Limited
29. Manganese Ore (India) Limited
30. Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemical Limited
31. Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited
32. MMTC Limited
33. MSTC Limited
34. National Fertilizers Limited
35. National Seeds Corporation Limited
36. NHPC Limited
37. Northern Coalfields Limited
38. North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited
39. Numaligarh Refinery Limited
40. ONGC Videsh Limited
41. Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited
42. Projects & Development India Limited
43. Railtel Corporation of India Limited
44. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
45. Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited
46. RITES Limited
47. SJVN Limited
48. Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited
49. South Eastern Coalfields Limited
50. State Trading Corporation of India Limited
51. Telecommunications Consultants India Limited
52. THDC India Limited
53. Western Coalfields Limited
54. WAPCOS Limited

Miniratna - II Companies
1. Bharat Pumps & Compressors Limited
2. Broadcast Engineering Consultants (I) Limited
3. Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited
4. Central Railside Warehouse Company Limited
5. Ed.CIL (India) Limited
6. Engineering Projects (India) Limited
7. FCI Aravali Gypsum & Minerals India Limited
8. Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited
9. HMT (International) Limited
10. HSCC (India) Limited
11. India Trade Promotion Organisation
12. Indian Medicines & Pharmaceuticals Corporation Limited
13. M E C O N Limited
14. Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited
15. National Film Development Corporation Limited
16. National Small Industries Corporation Limited
17. P E C Limited
18. Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited - See more at: http://www.currentgk.com/indian-economy/article/list-of-maharatna-navratna-miniratna-companies-in-india.html#sthash.gXXzMNRf.dpuf

Full List of 21 Fake Universities in India released by UGC 

State-wise List of fake Universities as in May, 2014

Bihar
1. Maithili University/Vishwavidyalaya, Darbhanga, Bihar.

Delhi
2. Commercial University Ltd., Daryaganj, Delhi.
3. United Nations University, Delhi.
4. Vocational University, Delhi.
5. ADR-Centric Juridical University, ADR House, 8J, Gopala Tower, 25 Rajendra Place, New Delhi - 110 008.
6. Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, New Delhi.

Karnataka7. Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Gokak, Belgaum, Karnataka.
 
Kerala8. St. John’s University, Kishanattam, Kerala.

Madhya Pradesh9. Kesarwani Vidyapith, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Maharashtra10. Raja Arabic University, Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Tamil Nadu11. D.D.B. Sanskrit University, Putur, Trichi, Tamil Nadu.

West Bengal12. Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine, Kolkatta.
 
Uttar Pradesh13. Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi (UP) Jagatpuri, Delhi.
14. Mahila Gram Vidyapith/Vishwavidyalaya, (Women’s University) Prayag, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
15. Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
16. National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
17. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Achaltal, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
18. Uttar Pradesh Vishwavidyalaya, Kosi Kalan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
19. Maharana Pratap Shiksha Niketan Vishwavidyalaya, Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh.
20. Indraprastha Shiksha Parishad, Institutional Area,Khoda,Makanpur,Noida Phase-II, Uttar Pradesh.
21. Gurukul Vishwavidyala, Vridanvan, Uttar Pradesh.

* Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow, UP - the matter is subjudice before the District Judge - Lucknow - See more at: http://www.currentgk.com/national-india/article/fake-universities-in-india.html#sthash.hmP9Jl65.dpuf

Top 10 Most Dangerous Countries in the World 2014

Pakistan is placed eighth in the list of the most dangerous countries in the world which is led by Iraq, according to a US-based intelligence think tank. 

Afghanistan, the only other South Asian country in the list, is placed fourth in the Country Threat Index (CTI) compiled on Tuesday by IntelCenter, a washington-based company working for intelligence agencies. 

The rankings were prepared after examining the volume of terrorist and rebel alerts, messaging traffic, videos, photos, incidents and the number of killed and injured in a country over the past 30 days. 

The other countries in the top 10 are Nigeria (second), Somalia (third) followed by Yemen (five), Syria (six), Libya (seven), Egypt (nine) and Kenya (10). 

There are a total of 45 countries with a CTI greater than zero. The average CTI for these countries is 74 and the global CTI is 3,313. 

Top 10 list–

Rank	Country	CTI Score
1.	Iraq	576
2.	Nigeria	458
3.	Somalia	336
4.	Afghanistan	309
5.	Yemen	290
6.	Syria	233
7.	Libya	166
8.	Pakistan	162
9.	Egypt	95
10.	Kenya	86

- See more at: http://www.currentgk.com/international-world/article/top-10-most-dangerous-countries-in-the-world-2014.html#sthash.uqnb4jWZ.dpuf

Jan 09 2015 : The Times of India (Delhi)

Scientists create 1st new antibiotic in nearly 30 years

Kounteya Sinha

London





May Hold Key To Beating Superbug

In a massive breakthrough, scientists have created the first new antibiotic in nearly three decades.Teixobactin can treat many common bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, septicemia and C Diff or clostridium difficile colitis.It eliminates pathogens without encountering any detectable resistance.The discovery comes at a time when World Health Organization (WHO) has sent out warnings that the world is staring at a post-antibiotic era when common infections will no longer have a cure. The first antibiotic, Penicillin, was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928.More than 100 compounds have been found since then, but no new class has been found since 1987.
Antibiotics have been magic bullets for human health for decades but irrational use has made most bugs resistant to these. Northeastern University's professor Kim Lewis announced on Thursday the discovery of the antibiotic. Lewis and Northeastern biology professor Slava Epstein co-authored the finding with colleagues from University of Bonn in Germany , Novo Biotic Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Selcia Ltd in the UK.
Most antibiotics target bacterial proteins, but bugs can become resistant by evolving new kinds of proteins. What's unique about Teixobactin is that it launches a double attack on the building blocks of bacterial cell walls. Experts say this will pave the way for a new generation of antibiotics because of the way it was discovered. Teixobactin could be available in the next five years. Its testing on mice has shown it clears infections without side-effects. The NU team led by Prof Lewis is now concentrating on upscaling production of Teixobactin to test it on humans.
Northeastern researchers' pioneering work to develop a novel method for growing uncultured bacteria led to the discovery of the antibiotic, and Lewis's lab played a key role in analyzing and testing the compound for resistance from pathogens.
Lewis said this marks the first discovery of an antibiotic to which resistance by mutations of pathogens have not been identified.
“So far, the strategy has been based on developing new antibiotics faster than the pathogens acquire resistance. Teixobactin presents a new opportunity to develop compounds that are essentially free of resistance,“ Lewis said. The screening of soil micro-organisms has produced most antibiotics, but only 1% of these will grow in the lab, Lewis explained. He and Epstein spent years seeking to address this problem by tapping into a new source of antibiotics beyond those created by synthetic means: uncultured bacteria, which make up 99% of all species in external environments.
Britain's CMO, Dame Sally Davies, said antibiotic resistant was “as big a risk as terrorism“, and warned that Britain faced returning to 19th century scourges when the smallest infection or operations could kill.

What is RuPay Debit Card

 President Pranab Mukherjee on May 2014 dedicated to the nation indigenous card payment network called RuPay taking on the global players like Visa and Master Card. The new payment network developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), a not-for-profit company envisioned by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and created by the banking industry, covers all the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and most of the retail and e-commerce platforms. RuPay is the coinage of two terms Rupee and Payment. With the launch of new system, India has now ranked among the “few countries in the world to have such a network built domestically to meet the card-based payment system needs of the country.” RuPay cards are accepted at all ATMs, more than 90 per cent of ‘Point of Sale’ (POS) terminals and more than 10,000 e-commerce merchants across the country.